Cavemen prepare for rival Artesia

CARLSBAD >> The Battle for Eddy County shifts to the hardwood tonight as the Carlsbad boys basketball team travels to the Bulldog Pit to face Artesia at 7 p.m.

Both squads always strive to earn bragging rights, but a road win seems even more critical for the Cavemen this year as they continue to fight for an at-large bid into the state playoffs and a more favorable seed.

Carlsbad is currently ranked No. 14 by Maxpreps in Class 5A with a record of 10-5 and barring a late-season collapse appears to be destined for the 16-team postseason bracket.

Yet, if the Cavemen want to improve over last year's opening round loss as a No. 11-seed in the tournament, a win against their arch-rival is a good start. And the team can't wait.

"That's one of the biggest rivalries in New Mexico in my mind," said junior Trevin Ramirez. "It's known around the whole state and everybody loves to watch it go on. Any win is great to me but beating Artesia is just heavenly."

Ever since head coach Jamaal Brown began his tenure in the 2011-12 season, Carlsbad has made the rivalry with Artesia (9-8) a lopsided affair.

The Cavemen have won five straight games against the Bulldogs, including a 61-57 victory last year at the Bulldog Pit, and are 5-1 overall against Artesia under Brown's tenure. Carlsbad's last defeat to Artesia was on Dec. 9, 2011 when the Bulldogs bested the Cavemen 73-65 in the City of Champions Tournament.

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"I would say it's a fierce rivalry," said forward Josh Miller. "It's really tough to go down to their home court with their fans and get a win, but I think we have the talent and the patience to do so."

Miller and guard Ryan Dudley are the only seniors on the Carlsbad roster. Both hope to experience the jubilation of another victory in rival territory before they graduate, a feeling Miller expects.

"It's going to be a big game," Miller said. "There's going to be a lot of energy and electricity in The Bulldog Pit, and we're going to come out with a victory."